Young stewards on a mission

SINGAPORE - Eleven students, aged 14 to 17, participated in a mission exposure to the centre of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Tanjong Balai, Indonesia recently. The programme was organized by Young Christian Students (YCS) Singapore, and structured such that the participants would learn about the importance of stewardship of their God-given time, talent and treasures.

They had many opportunities to practice good stewardship by sharing these gifts with those at Tanjong Balai, helping and bringing joy to the community there - including painting a chapel and house where the religious sisters lived and teaching English songs at the nearby schools.

There were also many interactive sessions, reflections and prayer during the five-day programme to ensure that learning takes place, and the transformation that results will endure, explained Daphne Koh, full-time animator and coordinator for YCS.

On the lessons she has brought home with her, participant Cheryl Goh, 15, said, "I learnt that even with the simplest things on earth, one could be satisfied, and happier than any other being with the most advanced stuff. After this mission exposure, I want to look at things from a more positive perspective and stop grumbling at my life. I hope to spread more smiles to others and be more selfless."

Prior to the mission exposure trip, members of YCS also helped raised funds for the church and schools at Tanjong Balai, by selling flags at Church of Sts. Peter & Paul, selling Christmas cards, and requesting for donations from YCS alumni members.

YCS is a Catholic student movement currently in five secondary schools - Catholic High School, Holy Innocents' High School, Montfort Secondary School, St. Joseph's Institution and CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls' School.

For more information, please email Daphne Koh at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..